The first batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa following the recent wave of xenophobic attacks has arrived in Lagos, marking the beginning of a broader repatriation effort by the Federal Government.
A total of 268 returnees touched down at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Thursday aboard an Air Peace flight arranged to facilitate the safe return of affected citizens.
The evacuation flight was initially scheduled to depart on Monday but was delayed until Wednesday due to documentation and processing challenges before eventually taking off for Nigeria.
The repatriation exercise comes amid growing concerns over the safety of Nigerians living in South Africa, where reports of xenophobic violence have triggered fears among foreign nationals and prompted many to seek assistance to return home.
The Federal Government has disclosed that more than 1,000 Nigerians have expressed interest in leaving South Africa, with additional evacuation flights expected in the coming days.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, had earlier revealed that the number of Nigerians requesting repatriation was steadily rising as concerns over security and welfare intensified.
According to the minister, the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria engaged South African authorities to facilitate the return process, particularly for citizens facing immigration-related challenges.
She explained that arrangements were made to ensure that affected Nigerians with unresolved immigration issues would be permitted to depart on evacuation flights rather than face detention.
To support the exercise, the Nigerian Mission in South Africa commenced a screening and documentation process for intending returnees. The exercise, initially scheduled to conclude over the weekend, was later extended due to the increasing number of applications.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the extension demonstrated the government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad and safeguarding their interests.
“This underscores the priority accorded to the protection of Nigerian citizens overseas, which remains a central pillar of Nigeria’s foreign policy and a core responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” the ministry stated.
Officials said the arrival of the first batch represents the start of a coordinated effort to assist Nigerians affected by the unrest and ensure their safe and dignified return home.
